Drawing attention to the crime of rape in Kohima and also expressing deep anguish over the recent outrages in Dimapur, the Angami Women Organisation has resolved to implement certain measures, presented at a meeting with women representatives from different wards including major tribal women organizations in Kohima and which it affirmed, would implement in the state capital.
According to AWO president Medovino Dolie and publicity secretary Rokokhono Tacü, rapists from any ward in Kohima, irrespective of background or status should be excommunicated from that ward for seven years over and above the legal consequences.
Further, it said, if any ward/colony in Kohima accepts any rapist, the heinous crime will be made public including poster campaign to highlight the issue.
It was also resolved that the offender’s photograph along with vital statistics etc will be published in all local papers and media so as to let the offender carry the shameful stain throughout his life.
The AWO also sought the cooperation of all tribal women organizations in Kohima including women organizations in all wards to mobilize themselves on this resolution.
The AWO said it stood firm on this issue and also vowed to render every possible assistance in order to “ward off this evil menace from our society”
The AWO said it was compelled to take a stern action as past rallies and processions by women who expressed anger against crimes against women, failed in making the government and the law enforcement agency mete out justice to the victims.
AWO said it had no option but to “look to our traditions with Christian compassion” in dealing with the menace.
It said the resolutions were adopted after prolonged deliberations on dealing with the menace, since condemnations and demands for punishment to the offenders made no impact.
Asserting that the issue needed to begin from within the family, the AWO called upon mothers to play their roles in inculcating life values instead of shifting the responsibilities of bringing up their children to schools, churches even though the government was duty bound to protect women from such crimes.